Buck not a lock as starter for Bombers

Hey there, time traveller!This article was published 26/3/2013 (1354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Buck Pierce will be back on the field when Blue Bombers training camp begins -- but his starter's job isn't quite as certain.

Today Bomber head coach Tim Burke met with media to talk about the decision to release quarterback Joey Elliott and safety Ian Logan.

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Buck Pierce signals the bench during a game.

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke speaks to the media at Investors Group Field on Tuesday. Purchase Photo Print

With Elliott's release, Burke said, "we just feel like we wanted to go with other quarterbacks. We just feel like other quarterbacks will take us closer to the Grey Cup."

But when asked if Elliott's release means that Pierce is sure to be the go-to guy in camp, Burke demurred. "It does not mean that," he said. "It just means that Joey won't be."

Burke said there is no scenario where Pierce wouldn't be among the five quarterbacks the Bombers plan to bring to camp. "We're looking at (Buck) in different roles, and one of them is as the starter."

Meanwhile, the Bombers continue to look to bring in new quarterbacks, and not just as role players, but as the "future of the franchise," Burke said.

The decision to release Logan came after the Bombers signed fellow Canadian safety Cauchy Muamba. Originally, the team planned to have the two compete for the job, but Burke said salary cap considerations and play led Bomber brass to drop the axe on Logan early instead.

"As we watched video, we just felt like Cauchy's play is better than Ian's play," Burke said.

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